One of the hardest things to grasp when becoming a boxer is not the likelihood that you will take a few blows to the face, but the seemingly endless options of classes and clubs at your disposal!

Not that we are complaining, of course… The rise in popularity of boxing and other contact sports is anything but a nuisance, it is making training far more accessible and convenient, not to mention offering a wider variety of activities to suit men, women and children across the country.

So, if you really want to start the new year with a fresh start and new fitness regime, then take some time to think about what type of boxing interests you the most.

What Is Boxing?

Boxing, as a term, actually covers a very wide range of contact sports, including French boxing, British boxing, American boxing (which is a ‘full contact’ form of the sport) and kickboxing (also known as Thai boxing).

In addition, Boxercise and Boxfit classes for men and women have really taken off in recent years, combining the principles of boxing with a high-energy cardio workout.

Classes are usually led with the help of upbeat tracks and a motivating trainer, so you will be sure to get a great workout and burn a good few calories while learning some new skills.

Not forgetting, of course, that many other forms of mixed martial arts (MMA) come under the same umbrella as boxing – so taekwondo, aikido, kung fu, karate, jujitsu, krav maga, viet vo dao, plus more (just think, all and any officially recognised body contact sports).

Where Do I Go To Find a Boxing Class?

Over the last ten years or so, boxing clubs have been on the rise. Plus, with so many varieties of the sport having now emerged, more and more women have taken an interest in joining classes and competing professionally too.

More and more women are taking boxing courses. Photo on Visual hunt

From London to Glasgow, you can find numerous sporting centres dedicated to boxing enthusiasts as well as many smaller clubs offering opportunities to learn more about the discipline.

Is Taking Up Boxing Training Expensive?

If you are worrying about starting a new hobby and having to pay up front for all of the equipment before you’ve even decided if you like it or not, then don’t!

Boxing is a relatively low-cost sport when it comes to equipment and sportswear and most places will hire stuff out to you until, and only if you want to, buy your own gear.

Things you might need, depending on your chosen type of boxing, are gloves, bandages, training shoes, a mouth guard, various protective pads, ankle straps, a jock strap, shorts and training tops. You can consult sports outlets like Sports Direct or Lonsdale to find out what kind of accessories you can buy.

Aside from the equipment, you will need to pay for your training, which can cost anything from £6.00 for a single Boxercice class to £60.00 for a 1 hour one to one session with an experienced instructor.

Boxing Classes London: Narrowing Down A Boxing Class In The Capital

London is a pretty big city, so you can expect to find lots of places where you can go and do boxing training in London. But how do you know which lessons are taught by the very best or which centres have the most modern training facilities?

Our advice is to do your research, visit clubs in person and/or ask for recommendations.

Before you jump into the ring though, there’s a few things you might like to know about your new passion, especially if you’ve never boxed before.

Boxing is obviously a great way of maintaining your fitness while also toning and building up muscle. What you may not know though is that it is also great training for the brain. The focus and discipline required stimulates your mind and helps you to release energy thus helping to reduce unwanted stress and anxiety.

Training at a club or attending Boxercise/Boxfit classes is therefore very beneficial physically and emotionally.

Boxing requires lots of self-control and a respectful attitude, so it’s often been referred to as a noble sport.

As part of your training, you might do a range of physical activities directly linked to the requirements of boxing, like skipping to improve your footwork, punching bags to practise technique and using a speedball to improve your reactions and reflexes.

Using a speedball can improve your speed and reactions. Photo credit: keith ellwood on VisualHunt.com

Boxing Classes Birmingham: Finding a Boxing Club In The West Midlands

With violence still haunting the streets of many big cities, some believe that these offenders might be better off putting their energy to better to use by being taught some respect and limiting their fighting to inside a ring, rather than causing havoc outside popular places like PRYZM or The Old Joint Stock.

But do we really want so-labelled “delinquents” hitting our Birmingham boxing clubs? Are you among the believers that sport can turn someone’s life around and make changes for the better? One thing we can say for sure is that if any sport is going to rehabilitate an offender, boxing is by far the one that will teach them the most respect and discipline.

Genuine boxers respect their opponents and understand that there are different divisions of sportsmen in their field, classed by their weight. They are as follows:

Boxing Classes Manchester: The City Of Cotton Is Not As Soft As You Think

Manchester is renowned for starting the Industrial Revolution, and is often nicknamed Cottonopolis, but it has also been dubbed ‘the sporting capital of the UK’.

When you put aside the famous football clubs, Manchester takes some beating when it comes to its sporting achievements: Ricky Hatton and Tyson Fury are just a couple of prime examples of the calibre of Mancunian sportsmen.

When it comes to contact sports or martial arts, there are various classes on offer in Manchester that can help members to maintain fitness with the help of highly trained and qualified teachers, all in a sociable and friendly setting.

Once you’ve found a suitable boxing centre in Manchester and completed a trial session, you can sign up for regular classes to keep up a good pace, which is a definitely something that is needed in the world of boxing.

Boxing Classes Liverpool: Putting The Beat In The Beatles

What makes the perfect uppercut? Who offers British boxing? How do you use a punchbag effectively? Find out the answer to these questions and more with our guide to boxing in Liverpool!

There are many types of boxing you could start in Liverpool. The main draw of French boxing, known also as Savate, boxe française, French kickboxing and French footfighting, is that it allows you to train and develop the lower part of your body (namely the legs) whilst also being able to use your lower and upper body to hit your opponent.

Followers of this sport will know that you can also hit your opponent below the waist line.

In traditional British boxing, meanwhile, which we know as simply boxing, it is against the rules to punch your opponent below the waist.

In British boxing, you can’t punch your opponent below the waistline. Photo on VisualHunt.com

There is certainly no lack in classes designed to sculpt your body and highlight those pecks around Liverpool. Be sure, wherever you decide to train, to warm up before any class or session to avoid painful injuries, like tearing a muscle or ligament.

Remember, take your time and you will get fit in no time!

Boxing Classes Leeds: The Home Of A Strong Sporting Heritage

Leeds is known for its contemporary culture, with sport included. Boxing is a sport well adapted for people of all ages looking to find a friendly and supportive form of relieving stress built up as a result of a hectic lifestyle.

Boxing clubs in Leeds, or most cities for that matter, have no place for thugs or bandits, and are professional centres offering suitable equipment and expert trainers.

Boxing was already being played in the 6th century before Jesus Christ, when it was described as a ‘noble art’. They saw the principles of boxing for what they really are: precise, respectful and technical.

Let’s face it, who hasn’t had a punch bag in their room and pretended to be Muhammed Ali competing for the title, or joked about being able to ‘take’ the invincible Anthony Joshua in a punch up?

If you really want to up your game though and improve on your boxing technique, then make boxing training a part of your life. There is no better way to implement this change than signing up to a boxing class in Leeds.

Please note: Most sports centres will insist you produce a medical certificate before you join to ensure that you are fit and healthy.

Boxing Classes Glasgow: The City Of Scottish Innovation

British boxing as a style, in its basic form, has been around since the 19th century thanks mainly to those who used to work the UK docks.

Yet French boxing made its appearance far earlier and often consisted of opponents contending for a win using a cane. This shows just how different yet similar the two forms of the sport are.